Bengaluru: Bengaluru Police have detained a juvenile from Rajasthan for allegedly impersonating an IPS officer through a fake Facebook account and using the identity to solicit money from acquaintances and members of the public.
The juvenile allegedly created the account using the name and photograph of Narayana M, Deputy Commissioner of Police of Bengaluru’s Electronic City division. Police said the profile was used to send friend requests to people known to the officer as well as other members of the public before approaching them with requests for money.
The case came to light after a complaint was filed at Hebbagodi police station regarding the fake Facebook account. Investigators subsequently traced the suspected operation to Kota Khurd village in Rajasthan.
Fake Profile Used to Seek Money
According to police, the fraudsters used different pretexts to convince people to transfer money.
Police recovered ₹2 lakh in cash from the juvenile, which investigators suspect was linked to money obtained through fraudulent bank accounts.
Probe Points to Wider Impersonation Network
Police took the juvenile into custody on August 24 after issuing a notice to his parents. During questioning, he allegedly disclosed that he had worked with other associates.
A senior police officer said, “During interrogation, the teenager confessed to have committed the offence along with a few associates. He said he created fake Facebook accounts in the names of several IAS and IPS officers across the country and were collecting money by impersonating them.”
Investigators now suspect that several others may be involved in the operation and are working to trace them. Police are also examining the extent of the alleged fraud and identifying other potential victims.
Juvenile Sent to Rehabilitation Centre
The juvenile was sent to a rehabilitation centre in Devanahalli on August 25.
Police have advised people to exercise caution when receiving friend requests or financial demands from social media accounts claiming to belong to senior government or police officers. Citizens have also been advised to verify such requests through official channels before transferring money.
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